Imprinting machine



Aug- 225 1933- H, L. VNDERWERP 1,923,596

IMPRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 22, 1933.H. 1 VANDERWERP IMPRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2ug- 22, 1933 H. L. VANDERWERP 1,923,596v

IMPR/INTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 3Q Z J6 15 l 1 ll r Patented Aug. 22, 1933 y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to imprinting machines, particularly typewritersand other machines of the general type which are caused to function bythe direct action of levers.

In the operation of typewriters and other key operated machines, itfrequently happens that mistakes, caused by striking wrong keys, arerealized by the operator as soon as and sometimes even before the erroris made-that is before the wrong keys are actually struckbut which arerecorded before the operator can arrest the stroke of his or her hand,thus causing errors, the correction of which involves conn siderableextra work and loss of time.

The primary object of the present invention is to prevent such errorsand the consequent loss of time required for correcting the same, and tothis end, my invention consists in what may be designated a delayedaction, whereby manipulation of one of a system or series of controlmembers mounted in association, respectively, with a correspondingseries of movably supported members, will not cause said movablysupported members to function, but will merely set thesame foroperation, manipulation of the control member associated with any othermovably supported member, causing the motivating means of said setmember to function. Thus, when an operator realizes or discovers that anerror has been made before the control means of another member ismanipulated, opportunity is aorded for correcting the error before theerroneous character is imprinted, which, in the case of a typewriter,may be eiected by merely back-spacing the carriage and, at the sametime, restoring the "set key to its initial or passive position.

The invention also comprises the various other features, combinations offeatures and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, in which the invention is fullyillustrated,

Figs. l, 2 and 3 are diagrammatic views exemplifying the adaptation ofelectrical means for operating the type bars of a. typewriter inaccordance with my invention.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of the electrical connections.

Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views, substantially similar to Figs. 1to 3,A illustrating the application of the invention to effect a delayedplaten shift; and

Fig. '7 is a wiring diagram forming an eXtension of that shown in Fig.4, illustrating a wiring arrangement for effecting delayed platen shift.

Describing the invention with reference to the drawings, in which, forpurposes` of clear and denite illustration, I have shown my inventionand improvements as embodied in a typewriter, the type bars of which areadapted to be electrically operated, 1 designatesv the typewriter frame,

2 the platen, 3 a series of type bars pivoted at 4 on the frame 1 inoperating relation lto the G5 platen 2, 5 designates electro-magnets,the are matures 6 of which are pivoted to lugs 7 on said type bars, therelation being such that when an electro-magnet functions, it will turnthe type bar associated therewith pivotally to eifect impact of a typeon said type bar with the platen 2, and 8 are springs applied to thetype bars for restoring them to their initial positions after operation.

In accordance with the present invention, the type bars 3 are supportedin initial or passive position by struts 9 pivoted on the frame of thetypewriter, the position of said struts corresponding to such initial orpassive position of said type bars, being defined by stops 10 secured oin the frame of the typewriter, and springs 11 applied to said struts,arranged to maintain the same yieldingly in contact with said stops. Theinitial position of the type bars 3 as defined by the struts 9 is shownin Fig. 1 of the 85 drawings.

The electromagnets 5 are connected in parallel in an electric circuitcomprising conductors 12 and 13 connected with a source of electricalenergy, as indicated, and are adapted to be separately energized tocause them to function to operate the type bars to which they areapplied, respectively, by dual controls, comprising a control associateddirectly with the type bar r to be operatedwith which all of said typebars are equippedmanipulation of which will set said type bar foroperation, and a second control-with which, also,l all of said type barsare equipped-manipulation of which will cause the electromagnet appliedto the set type bar to function to operate said set type bar, producingimpact of a type thereon with the platen 2.

For purposes of convenient and distinctive reference, the rst series ofcontrols will hereinafter be designated setting controls, and the secondseries motivating controls.

In accordance with my invention, see particularly Fig. 4, the settingcontrols comprise electrical contacts 15 and 16 mounted in directassociation with the type bar to be operated, and bridge pieces 17secured to said type bars, respectively, in position to bridge thecontacts 15 and 16 associated with different type bars, whereby any typebar may be set for operation by turning it pivotally to eiect contact ofthe bridge piece 17, thereon with the contacts 15 and 16 associatedtherewith. As the type bars are made of metal, the bridge pieces 17 willbe insulated therefrom.

The contacts 15 'and 16 are located in shunt circuits 18 into which theelectromagnets 5 also are connected. Said shunt circuits are controlledby the bridge pieces 17.

The settingcontrols for said type bars also comprise a series of keylevers 20 pivoted to lugs 21 on theframe'of the typewriter inassociation with different type bars, said levers being maintainednormally in passive positiondefined by contact of an end thereof,respectively, With a support 22-by springs 23 applied thereto as will bereadily understood, the relation being such thatmanipulation of saidlevers to turn the same from their passive positions shown in Fig. 1 tothe position shown in Fig. 2, will operate to raise the type barassociated with the lever so manipulated, out of contact with the strut9 by which it is supported. Also pivoted to each type bar control lever20 is a bar 24, the free end of which is operatively connected with thelower end of the corresponding strut 9, the connections of said bars 24to the struts 9 being constructed and arranged to operatively engagesaid struts only as they approach the limits of their movement inopposite directions. As shown, the connection between said bars 24 andstruts 9 consists of slots 25 formed -in said bars and studs 26 securedin said struts which engage said slots, the relation being such thatopposite, ends of said slots will engage said pins as said levers areturned by or against the force of the springs 23.

As shown, also, the struts 9 are adapted to be secured yieldingly inpositions corresponding to pivotal movement of the levers 20 against theforce of the springs 23, by spring detents 27 supported on the machineframe and which are calibrated to hold said struts in position againstthe force of the springs 1l applied thereto, respectively, the relationbeing such that when said struts are so held by the detents 27, the typebars will be free to turn as the levers 20 are turned pivotally by thesprings 23, to effect engagement of the bridge pieces 17 on the typebars with the contacts 15 and 16, thus setting said keys, respectively,for operation upon manipulation of the second or motivating control, asshown in Fig. 3.

As shown, also, the motivating controls by which the electromagnets arecaused to function to operate the type bars, consists of shunt circuits28 which are controlled by electric switches mounted on the frame of thetypewriter, there being a separate switch mounted in association witheach lever 20, and the spacing lever 29, the relation being such thatturning movement of said levers against the force of the springs 23 willoperate to close the switch respectively associated therewith, as willreadily be understood.

The shunt circuits 18 and 28 comprise an electrical conductor 14 towhich they are all electrically connected, as indicated, whereby any settype bar may be caused to function by manipulation of any control lever20 or spacer 29 to close the motivating control associated therewith,respectively.

As shown, said switches comprise members 30 and 31, both of which areelectrical conductors and the members 30 and, if desired, the members31, also being made of spring material, the member 30 carrying a bridgepiece 32 adapted to contact directly with the switch member 31.

Beginning with the parts of the typewriter in passive position, as shownin Fig. l, the operation of my improved typewriter is as follows: First,the lever 20 associated with the type bar which is to be struck, isturned pivotally substantially to the position shown in Fig. 2, in whichit will support its associated type bar 3 independently of the strut 9,and will simultaneously advance the bar 24 in a direction' to turn thestrut 9 pivotally into position to permit turning movement of the typebar to effect engagement of the bridge piece 17 thereon with the fixedcontacts 15 and 16 and also to engage the lower end of said strut withthe spring detent 27, by which it will be held until the control lever20 is again restored to its initial position by its spring 23, therebypermitting contact of the bridge piece 17 with the contacts 15 and 16,setting the type bar for operation and also disengaging the strut 9 fromthe detent 27. Said type bar is now set for operation and theelectromagnet 5 associated therewith will be energized and caused tofunc-- tion to turn said type bar pivotally to eiect impact of a typethereon with the platen, by manipulation of a lever 20 associated withany other type bar or with the spacing lever` 29, to close themotivating control, thus closing the shunt circuit in which thecorresponding electromagnet is positioned, whereby a type carried by the"set type bar will be impressed upon the platen.

Motivating controls are also provided in association with the spacinglever 29, whereby a type on the set typebar will be imprinted on theplaten by manipulation of said spacing lever.

If, however, a mistake is made and a wrong key is struck, and theoperator realizes or discovers the mistake befoe the motivating con`trol is manipulated, the mistake can be corrected by manipulation of theback-spacing lever 33 which is operatively connected with a movablysupported cradle 33 which extends beneath all of the type bars in suchposition as to permit turning movement of said type bars to eiectcontact of the bridge pieces 17 thereon with the contacts 15 and 16,raising movement of said back space lever operating to restore the set"type bar to its initial, passive position without closing a motivatingcontrol and thus without recording the error on the platen.

Having thus corrected the error, the operator can proceed with the workwith practically no delay such as would have been necessitated had theerror been recorded.

When a type bar bears different charactersas, for example, small andcapital letters-imprinting of one or the other thereof may be effectedby shifting the platen in accordance with usual present practice.

However, to avoid confusion, it is desirable and preferable that theplaten shift be delayed in the same manner as the imprinting of thediierent characters, manipulation of a type bar lever and the platenshift lever in succession` operating to set both for operation, and thesubsequent manipulation of another type bar control lever or the spacebar causing the motivating means of said set type bar and of the platenshift mechanism to function.

Means for effecting such delayed shifting of the platen are shown inFigs. 5, 6 and 'I of the drawings and will now be described.

As regards themeans for causing delayed operation of the type bars, themeans shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are substantially identical with themeans shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, and heretofore described, andwill readily 4be understood from an examination of the drawings withouta further description thereof in detail. Corresponding parts aredesignated by the same reference characters in all of the iigures,excepting where such duplication might cause confusion.

In accordance with the present invention, the platen shift is effectedbymeans as follows:- Mounted on the frame 1 of the typewriter inassociation with' the type bars 3 is what may be designated a dummy bar3', which is substantially similar to said type bars, excepting in therespect that it bears no letters or characters to be imprinted on theplaten, and is supported in initial or passive position by a strut 9 inthe same manner as the type bars 3, such initial position being deiinedby a stop 10 and spring 1l, as in the case of the type bars.

Applied to said dummy bar 3' is a magnet 5, which, when energized, isadapted to turn said dummy bar pivotally in the same manner as the typebars 3 are turned when the magnets applied thereto, respectively, areenergized.

As shown, the platen 2 is supported by bars 34 slidably mounted on thetypewriter frame, formed in the upper ends of which are bearings towhich the ends of the platen shaft are rotatably fitted, as shown at 35,and rotatably mounted at the lower ends of said platen supporting barsare rollers 36 which are adapted to rest upon the top edges of cam bars37 slidably mounted on the frame of the typewriter in proper positionbelow the platen 2. As shown, said cam bars 37 are provided on their topedges with tread sections 38 and 39, spaced vertically from each other adistance equal to the contemplated shift of the platen 2 in operation,the tread sections on said cam bars being connected by inclined sections40.

The cam bars 37 are connected to lugs 4l on the dummy bars 3 by links42, the relation being such that pivotal movement of said dummy bars 3bythe magnets 5 applied thereto--that is, corresponding to the impactstroke of the type bars 3-will impart endwise movement to the cam bars37 in a direction to raise the platen, springs 43 applied to said bars3' operating to move the same endwise to lower the platen when themagnet is dead.

The dummy bars 3' and the operating mechanism therefor are in duplicateat opposite sides of the machine, the control levers 20 therefor beingrigidly connected so as to work together.

The dummy bars 3' are provided with setting controls like those withwhich the type bars 3 are equipped, but are not equipped with motivatingcontrols. Thus, by first manipulating the control lever 20 applied toany type bar to set the same and then manipulating the platen shiftcontrol lever after said type bar lever has been released, both saidtype bar lever and said platen shift lever may be set for operation.

Excepting that the dummy bars 3 have no nected in the same manner as thetype bars 3, as clearly indicated in the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 'Zof the drawings.

With the construction described, it is obvious that after a typewriterbar 3 and the dummy bars 3' have been set in the manner described,subsequent manipulation of the control lever 20 of another type bar orof the spacing lever 29 to close the motivating control associatedtherewith, will close the shunt circuits in which the set type bar anddummy bars are located, thereby causing the magnets applied thereto,respectively, to function, simultaneously raising the platen and causingthe type bar to execute an impact stroke and to imprint the character onsaid type bar corresponding to the shifted position of the platen 2.

While I have herein shown and described what I now consider to bepreferable means for use in the practice of my invention, other meansfor the purpose will readily suggest themselves to others skilled in theart and I do not, therefore, desire to limit myself to the mechanismherein shown and described but desire to extend the protection of thepatent to any structure coming within thescope of the appended claims. Iclaim:

1. In mechanism of the type specified, the

-combination of a plurality of movably supportrespectively, and meanscontrolling said operating means, the relation being such thatmanipulation of the control means associated with one of said deviceswill set said device for operation, and subsequent manipulation `'of theontrol means associated with another device, will cause the operatingmeans of said set device t function. j

2. In mechanism of the type specified, the combination of a plurality ofmovably supported devices, therefor, respectively, and means controllingsaid operating means, the relation being such that manipulation ofthecontrol means associated with one of said devices will set said devicefor operation, and subsequent manipulation of the control meansassociated with another device, will cause the operating means of said"set device to function.

3. The combination specified in claim 1, in which the movably supporteddevices are arranged in'a series.

4. In mechanism of the type specified, the combination of a plurality oftype bars, separate operating means therefor, respectively, and meanscontrolling said operating means, the relation being such thatmanipulation of the control means associated 'with one of said type barswill set said type bar for operation. and subsequent manipulation of thecontrol means associated with another of said type bars or spacer willcause the operating means of said set type bar to function.

5. In a typewriter, the combination of a plurality of type bars,separate operating means therefor, respectively, and means controllingsaid operating means, comprising a series of control levers respectivelyassociated with different type bars, means rendered operative bymanipulation of said control levers for setting the type bars with whichthey are associated, respectively, for operation, and means renderedoperative by manipulation of the control lever 'of motivating controls,they are electrically conanother type bar or spacer for causing theoperseparate electrical operating means 'ing the electrical actuatingmeans associated with said set type bar to function.

7. The combination specified in claim 5, which also comprises means forback-spacing the carriage of the typewriter and simultaneously restoringa set type bar to its initial position.

8. The combination specified in claim 5, which also comprises a spacinglever and means mounted in association therewith and rendered operativeby manipulation thereof for causing the operating means of a set typebar to function.

9. The combination speced in claim 5, which also comprises platenshifting means, comprising a dummy bar corresponding to a type bar butbearing no characters to be imprinted and which is equipped with settingcontrols only, whereby a, type bar and said dummy bar may be set insuccession, and manipulation of the control lever of another type bar orspacer to close the motivating control thereof will cause the operatingmeans of said set type bar and dummy" bar to function.

HARRY L. VANDERWERP.

